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Evaluation of Chemical Exposures at a Vape Shop [2017]
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2017/07/01
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Source: Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2015-0107-3279, 2017 Jul; :1-23
[PDF-1.88 MB]
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Alternative Title:Health Hazard Evaluation Report: Evaluation of Chemical Exposures at a Vape Shop [2017]: HHE 2015-0107-3279
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Description:The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the owner of a vape shop who was concerned about employees' potential exposure to vaping chemicals in the workplace. We collected air samples in the vape shop for flavoring chemicals (diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, 2,3-hexanedione, acetaldehyde, and acetoin), nicotine, formaldehyde, and propylene glycol. We took wipe samples for nicotine and metals on commonly touched surfaces. We found that employees vaped in the shop throughout the day, but very few customers vaped. None of the airborne concentrations of the specific flavoring chemicals we measured were above applicable occupational exposure limits although we detected low levels of two flavoring chemicals, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, in the personal and area air samples. We detected the presence of metals, such as chromium, lead, copper, and nickel, on surfaces in the shop. We found detectable levels of nicotine on the outside surface of a nicotine transfer bottle. This may have occurred when liquid was poured from one bottle to another without use of a funnel. We did not find nicotine on other surfaces that we sampled. We found that not all employees wore chemical protective gloves when handling liquids containing nicotine. The bottle of stock nicotine solution was stored in the same refrigerator used to store employees' food. We recommend that the employer implement a policy prohibiting vaping in the workplace with e-liquids that contain diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. We also recommended not storing chemicals in the same area where food is stored or eaten, training employees on proper chemical handling procedures, and inspecting and maintaining the shop's exhaust ventilation systems.
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Pages in Document:1-23; 30 pdf pages
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Contributor:Roberts, Jennifer;Watts, Shawna;Attfield, Kathleen;Booher, Donald;Moore, Kevin;
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NIOSHTIC Number:20050163
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2017-102701
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Citation:NIOSH [2017]. Evaluation of chemical exposures at a vape shop. By Zwack LM, Stefaniak AB, LeBouf RF. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2015-0107-3279. https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHHE201501073279
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Federal Fiscal Year:2017
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Source Full Name:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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Resource Number:HHE-2015-0107-3279
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